Third Thursday Thoughts

Okay, I admit it: I’m a full-on English nerd. Pull a book off my shelf or move that pile of papers on my desk, and you’re likely to find an old bookmark with random vocabulary scrawled all over it. Ask me why I refuse to use the express lane in…

I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating: Maine has an outsized creative community, and when we collaborate instead of competing, we have an outsized impact. And this month, I have had the privilege, as Executive Director of the Best Museum in the Whole Wide World, of participating in the consummate collaborative endeavor: the Violins of Hope Maine Project.

Four days ago, on September 11, 2022 — a picture-perfect late summer day here in Portland – I was standing outside on my front porch with my eyes closed, soaking in the glorious sunshine. Twenty-one years ago, on September 11, 2001 – another picture-perfect late summer day — I was rooted to the couch in my living room with my eyes wide open, barely able to process the horrors unfolding live on my television screen.

I’m a Mini Girl. Yes, I’m 5-ft. flat, but no, I’m not referring to my height (or lack thereof). I’m talking about my pride and joy, the greatest love of my life after my husband and sons: my 2017 Mini Cooper Clubman S.

I have a new obsession, and her name is Linda Skeens. If you’re asking who Linda Skeens is, you are in excellent company: scores of people have been asking the same question. Confused yet? Allow me to unpack this one for you. 

This I have learned: the world is divided between two types of people, birthday people and non-birthday people.